Charlton Athletic are thrilled to announce the signing of left-back Tayo Edun from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee.
The versatile 25-year-old, who can also operate in midfield, has signed a two-year contract, with the option of a third year, to become the Addicks’ fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Harry Isted, Lloyd Jones, Alfie May and Panutche Camará.
Edun has represented England at U17, U18, U19 and U20 level and earned a play-off finish with Lincoln City at League One level.
After putting pen to paper, he said: “I’m here to compete, so I'm looking forward to getting in and meeting the boys as soon as possible. They will help me find my feet and then obviously together we can all push on. It's really positive and I'm just looking forward to getting going."
Manager Holden is delighted to have secured the services of a long-term target. He explained: “We’ve had to be really patient with this signing. He’s a player that we’ve chased for quite a while now and I’m glad that it’s all done and he’s a Charlton Athletic player. He’s got real good quality on the ball in terms of his technical ability, he can get up and down the pitch and he can play in a couple of positions as well. Crucially, more than anything, he’s desperate to come here.
“He’s got huge ambition and that’s the key thing for me. He comes here and he’s going to be a leader who really drives the rest of the players on alongside him. He’s a really exciting player who I’m delighted that we’ve signed.”
Edun becomes the first signing since the takeover of Global Football Partners on Friday. Managing Director Jim Rodwell added: “As a club we’ve been able to strengthen this summer in a variety of key positions, adding proven quality at this level. The left side was a clear area of need and Tayo was a player we initially identified in January, so we’re really pleased to sign him on a permanent deal. He’s already shown what he can do at League One level and we believe he will continue to progress and develop - making him an important part of building a competitive side this season and of our longer-term planning.”
Born in Islington, Edun began his youth career with Fulham and made his debut for the club in August 2016, playing the entirety of the Whites’ 3-2 triumph against Leyton Orient in the EFL Cup.
He continued to impress over the next year and, in 2017, was part of the history-making England U19 side, who became the first Young Lions team to win the UEFA U19 European Championship after beating Portugal 2-1 in the showpiece final. Indeed, the teenager was named in the official Team of the Tournament alongside the likes of Diogo Dalot, Mason Mount, Ryan Sessegnon and Viktor Gyökeres.
After making four appearances in Fulham’s promotion-winning 2017/18 campaign, Edun joined Ipswich Town on loan and made an instant impact, scoring a last-minute leveller against Blackburn Rovers on his debut.
He enjoyed seven outings for the Tractor Boys before returning to his parent club in December 2018 to undergo surgery on an eye injury.
Edun completed a permanent move to Lincoln in January 2020. In his first full season with the club, he made 54 appearances across all competitions and helped guide the Imps to the 2020/21 Sky Bet League One play-off final, narrowly losing out to Blackpool at Wembley.
He sealed a switch to Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers that summer for an undisclosed fee and went on to feature 34 times for the Lancashire side.
There's no place like home! Click here to purchase your 2023/24 season ticket.
